Freecycle in Hemel Hempstead

I've recently discovered this useful network locally in Hemel, which helps save tangible items going to landfill: it's a free online noticeboard for things you want to dispose of or acquire, for free.  Hemel Freecycle
Now the Herts Freecycle network have launched a Freecycle Cafe.
This is "a great way to keep tangible items out of landfill but what happens if you missed a voucher for a holiday? Want to know where to find a particular tradesman? Need a particular recipe? Have a skill and would like to swap skills to get jobs done? Maybe someone can help you with an issue? Offer money saving tips and advice? Or anything else that may be of interest?"
Here's the link.

Apprenticeship with National Grid

Excellent opportunity with National Grid, apply by 31st Jan with potential start in Sept 2014. Full information here.

Moving On

Some excellent articles, ideas and advice on this website, for young people and their parents.  Their free monthly paper magazine is available in school, ask in Careers Room.  Click here for the link.

Last chance for Morgan Stanley event

1st Jan is the last date to apply for the Morgan Stanley "Step In, Step Up" event in February for yr12 and yr13 students, to find out more about a career in investment banking.  See the main blog post on 16 Dec for more details (quick route via the category/label "opportunities" on the right of this page).

News from Careers Room 18/12/13

Dragons Team 1 are on HemelToday!  See the article and video of their great giftwrapping service here…  The team will be  gift-wrapping twice more this week on Thurs and Saturday.  Happy wrapping and happy Christmas to everyone!

Save the date!  On Friday 17^th January, the two Dragons teams will combine to organise a mega Quiz Night – look out for more details early next term.

Careers Week 2014:  From 3^rd to 7^th March, Cavendish will celebrate National Careers Week which coincides with Apprenticeship Week.  I am inviting several speakers into school during the school day to tell us about their work and career route.  We hope this will inspire our students to think about their own future and consider possible routes they haven’t thought about before. 
Do you know of someone with an interesting career who could inspire our students?  Please ask them to contact me, or let me know how to reach them.  Look out for more information about this exciting event next term in Contact!

College applications: If you are applying to college, I can send off the application for you.  I will keep a copy on file in case of any query.   Hand in the neat, signed application to me at Careers Room.  Sixth Form application process takes place in January.

Seeing the Vauxhall Vivaro in a new light

Earlier this term, Sixth Formers from Business Studies and some budding Engineers visited the Vauxhall plant at Luton for their See Inside Manufacturing event.  We had a tour of the Cutting section, where the pieces are cut from rolls of sheet metal, the Body Shop where the pieces are assembled to make the vehicles (amazingly clever robots), and General Assembly, where the vehicles (chassis, base, engine and all else) come together so the finished Vivaro vehicles roll off the production line: 198 finished vans per day.   In between the tours, students took part in activities which made them more aware of skills needed by the people who work in this fascinating environment.  Students commented:  “Lots of advanced technology”; “I was impressed how the vans change shape throughout each section”; “Interesting how all the robots work together and in sync to get the job done”; “it takes 8 hours to go from a shell to driving out of the factory”;  “really impressive attention to detail in terms of quality control”;  “everyone seems to work hard and be committed to their job, they all work together even in this big factory”.

Two weeks later, the Vauxhall team headed by Jenny Lokko (who is on a placement year at Vauxhall from her uni) came to Cavendish, in a Vivaro of course!  In assembly, they awarded a prize to Chris Elliott for his winning entry in one of the competitions on our visit.  Vauxhall have some great employment opportunities for new apprentices, undergraduate placements, and graduate traineeships.  We hope to visit them again next year!   Pictures of our visit are here

Gift wrap service

Come and get your presents wrapped by the Cavendish elves!  They will be in Riverside twice more - this Thursday and Saturday, see the details here. 
Dragons Team 1 are a team of Cavendish Sixth Formers who are taking part in a local schools' challenge.  Through their own business idea, and working with a charity and a business mentor (their dragon) they have to turn £100 into £1000+ for the charity they are working with:  the Hemel Hempstead Volunteer Centre. 
Come and support the team's business enterprise, support the Volunteer Centre, AND get your presents wrapped!

Part-time Administrator wanted

Community Action Dacorum is currently recruiting an administrator to join their Herts Interpreting and Translation Service. This is a part time post which is based in our offices at 48 High Street, Hemel.  More information here.

Train in Hairdressing at Toni & Guy

Trainee Hairdressers wanted at Toni and Guy salon in Hemel Hempstead.  Please apply direct to Ricki Munslow who runs the salon.
As with any opportunity publicised on this site, let me know if you apply - it would be great to know the system is working!

School Leavers Event for Sixth Formers

Pure Potential are holding a major free event on 20th Feb in London for Sixth Formers who are not intending to go to uni, and want to apply for a School Leavers Programme or Higher Apprenticeship with an employer.  See their website for details of the event and how to register your interest. Register with Pure Potential for access to lots more useful information and guidance.

School Leaver Programmes are the new structured training programmes (paid) which are run by national employers for students with A levels who don't want to go to uni.  Each programme is unique to the employer and will require an individual, custom-written application.

For more information on the options after Sixth Form see the information page on All About School Leavers and read more about the national employers that offer these opportunities.  Be prepared to complete for a place: do your research, attend any events you can to prepare, and give yourself time to write a really good application.  Pactice makes perfect - get help and advice wherever you can.

Career in investment banking?

Pure Potential have sent this message:
Morgan Stanley Insight Opportunities
Leading investment bank Morgan Stanley would like to invite a selection of our brightest female sixth formers from London and the home counties to apply to their two insight opportunities listed below.

Step In, Step Up (18 – 20 February 2014)– Year 12 and 13 students
A three-day insight experience specifically aimed to give you the opportunity to explore working life at one of the world’s leading investment banks.
Applications close on 1st January 2014

The Open Day (22 July 2014) – Year 13 students
An insight day where you will learn about the various divisions within the bank, and have the unique chance to network with leading professionals.
Applications close on 2nd June 2014

If you are interested in developing your knowledge of the financial sector then these events will provide the perfect opportunity. Morgan Stanley is one of the world’s leading investment banks – having such a prestigious firm on your CV or personal statement will be hugely beneficial when it comes to applying to university and securing future work placements and paid employment. Places are limited so we strongly encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

For more information about both events and instructions on how to apply, please visit: www.purepotential.org/recruitment/morgan-stanley. When you apply, please mention Pure Potential in your covering letter.

Careers that move

I was recently reminded about this excellent website to find out about careers in passenger transport and travel.  Not all the answers of course, that's up to you, but this might start you thinking.  It's a huge area and set for strong job growth in the next few years.  Lots of scope if you want to travel, and also if you want to stay near home.  Many entry routes at all different levels.
Research has revealed that young people who want to develop a career should look to employers who operate planes, trains and buses as this industry seeks to recruit 182,500 people by 2020.
Careers that Move

Interested in Medicine or Law?

If you know of anyone in year 12 who is considering a career in Medicine or Law, we have been offered places at two focus days organised by Berkhamsted School.  To take part you must contact me as soon as possible - the places will go very quickly.  Each is a full day of workshops, presentations, meet the expert sessions, lots of useful information, etc - at no cost to you but you must commit to going.   Experience days like these could really help you get into these very competitive careers, and will normally cost around £100 per day.  Contact me urgently for more details about the two programmes.

See here for ANOTHER opportunity: Medical Careers Day, So you want to be a doctor? run by the Royal Society for Medicine in Wimpole St, London.  This is £15 for the day and is for year 11/12.

Year 10 work experience

Lots of parent slips coming in, thank you!  Several students seem to be looking for placements in sport-related work, and I have to tell you that not many people find placements like that.  Some do, but normally only if they find their own - I am very unlikely to have sport-related placements on the Link2 list (available in the Spring).  Sport-related is a very small employment sector, especially for work where students can go on placement.  Keep looking and asking, but keep your mind open also to placements which offer similar opportunities : busy, hands-on, team-work, showing initiative.  Think about what it is about sport you really like, and apply that to a more accessible work place.  The work experience will be just as valid on your CV and give you a chance to sample a different type of work.  The same goes for those that want to work in healthcare-related settings.  Welcome to the real world!
Interesting article on Icould.com about working in sport.

Careers Advice for Parents

I recently found this interesting and helpful new website.
No it's not for parents who are looking for new careers themselves, but for parents who want to know how to help their youngster with career choices.
As with all websites and other published data, you need to judge for yourself how trustworthy and relevant the content is.

What will the future be like?

Hertfordshire is already strong in some of the sectors which are forecast to see the most growth in the UK, like...

Research & Development

Business services (and waste)

Communications

For more information on what the future is likely to hold, see this excellent page with a summary of sector trends.

Cavendish Work Experience Week 2014

Year 10 Work Experience week was launched recently!  Our students will have a chance to see the world of work for themselves in week of 30/6/14.  Do you know any business that could offer a work placement?  Any sector, ideally in Hertfordshire.  If so please ask them to contact me for more information at p.shaw@cavendish.herts.sch.uk.

Arrocca Hairdressing School

Trisha Buller, Training Director, extends a welcome to their open evening at the training centre in Berkhamsted on Tuesday 10^th December from 6pm – 8pm.  This is aimed at age 14 upwards.

Arrocca run a Hairdressing Club every Tuesday from 4pm – 6pm for students aged 14 upwards, contact Trisha Buller for more information.

The Watford UTC

I went to an interesting open day recently with the Watford UTC (opening next September), held at Elstree UTC (opened last September). 
What's a UTC?  It's a fantastic opportunity for full-time vocational learning with specialist focus, they take students from 14-19 with intake at year 10 and year 12.  Very close links with Uni of Hertfordshire and local, high-profile employers.
Positive ethos and amazing people and facilities, I'm hooked!

Pathways to a career in Property

Pathways to a career in property: summer school 2014 applications process opens Jan 13th.  See here for info about last year's event and how to apply for next summer.

Parents Event at Cavendish 18/11/13

Parents information evening for yr11-13 on Monday 18th November 7.30-8.30 in Sixth Form Centre - NOT in main school. Called "It's not just about university" this will be an interactive session to focus on careers research on the web, and Youth Connexions Advisers will be there to help you understand the many options available and where to find information. Limited places - call or email Sixth Form to reserve places.  Parents and students are welcome from year 11-13.

Oaklands College Open Days

November Open Days are next week!  12th and 13th Nov.
Currently not able to upload any attachments to this blog, so see the website for more information.
http://www.oaklands.ac.uk/

Gap year programme for students interested in law

Recent message from Pure Potential...
Ever wondered what it would be like working for a prestigious, international law firm? The pondering is officially over! We are pleased to be working with leading firm Pinsent Masons to launch their annual gap year programme for our bright, budding lawyers. If you are in Year 13 and are interested in pursuing a career in the legal sector then this is the perfect opportunity for you to gain valuable paid experience between leaving school and starting university. The contacts you make over the course of the programme, the experiences you gain and the employability skills you will develop will be invaluable, not just for university but when you are a graduate too.
If you live in or around Aberdeen, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London or Manchester, Pinsent Masons invite you to apply! Take a look at the flyer below, or visit Pinsent Masons’ website for full details of the programme and instructions on how to apply: http://www.pinsentmasons.com/gapyear.
Good luck!  Binda Bhudia,  Pure Potential    www.purepotential.org

Vacancy for Trainee Recruitment Consultant

I've heard from Enterprise Recruitment Ltd, a Berkhamsted-based company who place new employees with businesses in the electronics and engineering sector. They are expanding and are  looking to grow the team at trainee/entry-level.
They are advertising for a Trainee Recruitment Sales Consultant, this vacancy might suit students who have achieved A levels/equivalent or above (or will next summer), or graduates or students due to graduate next summer.  Starting date could be between now and next summer.

This could appeal to former students of Cavendish, or those leaving Sixth Form in summer 2014 who are not aiming for uni (or want to defer that decision).

Find out  more here

 

 

University Taster Courses this autumn: places available

King's College London and UCL are running a number of free university taster courses for year 12 students this autumn in the following subjects listed below.  Places are allocated on a first-come first-served basis so apply as soon as possible by following the relevant link below or via our website www.london.ac.uk/tasters.

List of university taster courses with places available (as of 23 September 2013):
Geography
King's College London, Wed 16 Oct 2013, details/applyrepeated on Wed 20 Nov 2013, details/apply and Wed 11 Dec 2013 details/apply
Global Health & Social Medicine
King's College London, Wed 23 Oct 2013, details/apply
Science Engagement & Communication
King's College London, Fri 18 Oct 2013, details/apply
The Only Way Is 'Arts and Sciences'
UCL, Wed 13 Nov 2013, details/apply
repeated on Wed 4 Dec 2013 details/apply
The university taster courses provide a great opportunity for year 12 students to try university and a specific subject area before they apply. Most of the university taster courses last a day and are all free to attend.

More taster courses coming in 2014....
Students will be able to apply to university taster courses taking place in 2014 through our website www.london.ac.uk/tasters from 11am on Thursday 9 January 2014. A full list of taster courses in over 70 different subject areas taking place at over 20 universities across London will be available on our website then.

Work experience with HSBC

HSBC has opened its national work experience campaign, enabling young people to experience the world of retail banking in 150 locations across England and Wales. The programme is designed to offer an early opportunity to find out more about our branches, the type of work we do and the career opportunities that are available. This will help you decide if you like banking as a career and whether you should join us before or after university.
The branches involved where you can apply for work experience (including St Albans) are listed on the website - you need to complete your application carefully. Application deadline is Sunday 29 September 11.59pm   See  more on their website.

Apprenticeships Update 20-9-13

Here's the latest list, some great opportunities to look out for.
If you want to apply, make your application the best it can be. Give yourself time, ask for help, and get someone you trust to run through it before you submit it.
Then when you are offered an interview, do plenty of preparation beforehand (again, ask for some help and there's lots of interview tips online).
All the vacancies are on http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/  There you can look up all the job details using the AV number shown on the list.

Careers Fair in Hemel Hempstead - save the date!

Wednesday 23rd October 2013   

6:00pm – 8:30pm

For all young people aged 14-19 and their parents/carers

South Hill Centre, Cemetery Hill,

Hemel Hempstead  HP1 1JF

Wednesday 23^rd October 2013  6:00pm – 8:30pm

Visit this FREE, LOCAL high-profile event for essential information about qualifications, careers and employment opportunities.

There will be representatives from a variety of local and national businesses, industries and other organisations, all available to talk to you about career opportunities in their sector.  You will also be able to obtain information from local education and training providers about appropriate courses (e.g. work-based NVQ’s/apprenticeships, school and college-based GCSEs, A-levels, Diplomas, BTEC’s and up to degree-level qualifications).

As well as programmes of study or training, employers will be able to talk to you about necessary skills, personal qualities and work experience valued by their sectors.  All of this will help you to be better prepared for work when the time comes.  More importantly, it will help inform you on the subject/employment choices that you may have to make this academic year or soon after.

Sector based talks will also be on offer during the event.  These are short talks by experts about a range of different employment sectors.  You can sign up for these  on the day (limited spaces available).   And all available at NO CHARGE!

Back online.... Happy New Year!

Sorry for recent disruption to service, been carried away with the excitement of the New Term.  Lots to catch up on...

GCSE results day

Well done to all students receiving results today! 
Youth Connections Hertfordshire are running live Q&A today on Twitter 12-5 about results, ask any questions using #AskYouthConnexions
To talk to someone in person, contact our local Youth Connexions base which is open every weekday at Jarman Park (upstairs)   more info here - including phone numbers and opening hours.

Your neighbourhood needs YOU!

Do you feel strongly about your local community - the people and the facilities we have nearby?
Dacorum Borough Council really want to hear young people's views not only on local issues in Chaulden, Gadebridge and Warners End, but also on how to make Neighbourhood Action more interesting for young people.

This is a fantastic opportunity to find out what goes on locally, have your say and get involved (ideal experience for your personal statement when applying to university, or for your CV).

The next meeting of Neighbourhood Action Group for Chaulden, Gadebridge and Warners End is being held on Wed 18th Sept at CAVENDISH SCHOOL, so if you want to be part of it, contact Mrs Shaw in Careers Room at school.  Any student is welcome, particularly from years 10-12.

Apprenticeship vacancy: Sales role in Hemel Hempstead

Customer Service skills needed in a local firm, full job details here.  Great opportunity for a 16-18 year old keen to make their mark in sales and customer service, leading to NVQ Level 2 in 12 months.

Curious about Construction?

Once again the Construction industry is running their Open Doors event.  See the website for where to go (all types of project, across the country).  Book your free visit online.

Open Doors gives you a unique opportunity to have a behind the scenes look at major construction sites across the country and the wonderful range of things that we do - over one weekend.

From 27th-28th September we would like to invite you to take a look into the diverse world of modern construction and meet the fantastic men and women who make it all happen. Whether you are thinking about work and a career, or just curious to see what goes on behind those big hoardings, Open Doors has something for you!

Ideas for non-uni options

There are lots of options!  Here are some I've come across recently...

http://www.independent.co.uk/student/career-planning/getting-job/nonuniversity-options-for-school-leavers-8642595.html

http://www.channelmogo.org/info-and-advice/jobs-careers/national-employers-with-school-leaver-schemes.aspx

http://www.tesco-careers.com/home/students

http://www.skanska.co.uk/careers

Oaklands College Open Evenings

St Albans Campus Open Evening
Oaklands College St Albans Campus, Hatfield Road, St Albans, Herts, AL4 0JA 

Welwyn Garden City Campus Open Evening 
Oaklands College Welwyn Garden City Campus, The Campus, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL8 6AH 

Both evenings run 5.30pm - 8pm.  More information here.  And here's the poster with full details.

Fashion afficionado?

Get the skills needed to work in the fashion industry. FREE course for 16-25s in Hemel Hempstead. Starts 9 Sept. Full details here.

Dragons’ Apprentice Challenge 2014

If you are about to join Year 12, read this!

This annual challenge encourages schools, businesses and charities to work together. Through volunteering it offers young people the opportunity to put their entrepreneurial ideas to the test and helps develop work related skills. It is organised for Dacorum Schools by Community Action Dacorum.

Teams of 16 year olds are challenged to turn £100 into £1,000+. Each team has a local business mentor (their dragon) and is paired with a local charity. Supported by their dragons, the teams develop business ideas with the aim of earning money for their charities. All profits made by the teams go directly to their allocated charities.

Last year the Cavendish team won the Challenge Award for working most closely with their charity, having raised over £1200 for Radio Dacorum, supported by Steria (the team’s business mentor). The team worked hard to organise several events, faced real business issues and developed their own skills and confidence. Facilitation and support in school is through Mrs Shaw.

If you want to be part of this exciting experience, save the date on Tues 24^th Sept (5.30-6.30) when this year’s challenge will be launched, and look out for more news soon.  More information here (from CVS St Albans, who initiated this project 4 years ago).

Finance event for Sixth Formers

Every year Pure Potential is inundated with requests from ambitious students asking how they can explore careers in finance. There are too few opportunities in the City which enable only a handful of lucky sixth formers to get their foot in the door, and many of these opportunities tend to be hugely over-subscribed or insufficiently publicised.

To make sure as many deserving state-educated sixth formers get a chance to kick-start their financial careers, Pure Potential is launching a brand new, completely free event where we will introduce leading financial firms from a range of sectors to ambitious sixth formers through workshops, presentations and a careers fair.

The event takes place in London during the Autumn Half Term on Thursday October 31st. We have just 250 places at PP: Finance 2013 and will be allocating places to those students that fit the following criteria:

·       Achieved / predicted ABB at AS-Level or equivalent (not including General Studies or Critical Thinking)

·       Attend a state school or college (non-fee paying)

·       In Year 12 or Year 13

We will prioritise students from lower-socio-economic backgrounds, and those with no parental history of higher education, but please still apply if you do not meet these criteria.

To apply, please complete our short online application form.

Applications will close at 5pm on Monday, 30th September 2013. We will inform all applicants of our decision by Wednesday, 2nd October.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Binda Bhudia, Pure Potential   020 7122 1220

USA College Day 2013

At College Day you will have the opportunity to speak with over 150 exhibitors representing universities in the US and educational service providers. Now in its 36th year, College Day is the largest American university fair in the UK. This event is for students, parents and advisors.
Date: Friday and Saturday, 27-28 September 2013
Venue: Kensington Town Hall (Hornton Street, London, W8 7NX)
Time: Friday 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm and Saturday 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Register: Registration for College Day 2013 will open in summer 2013. Sign up here to be notified when registration opens.
About USA College Day: USA College Day 2013 is held in partnership with the University of South Florida, i Newspaper and the Independent.   Full information here.

Norton Rose Fulbright – Legal Insight Day

Pure Potential have teamed up with leading law firm Norton Rose Fulbright to host a FREE legal insight event for 40 ambitious Year 12 students. Norton Rose Fulbright is a global legal practice – they service the world’s top companies and with over 4,000 lawyers based on over 50 cities, they are one of Pure Potential’s long term partners.

The Legal Insight Day will offer the chance to kick-start your career in the legal industry – if you’re interested in learning about the routes into law, hearing from leading professionals and having the chance to network with partners then this is the perfect event for you.

When: Wednesday, 28th August 2013
Where: Norton Rose Fulbright office, London
Time: 13.00 – 16.30

Eligibility
In order to apply for this event, students must meet all of the below criteria:.
Must be in Year 12 (starting Year 13 in September 2013)
Attend a non-fee paying school
Achieved A* - C at GCSE
On-target to achieve AAB for A-Level (excluding general studies and critical thinking)

Application process
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you are invited to complete the online application form.  Visit our website for full details: www.purepotential.org/events/legal-insight-day
The application deadline is 5pm on Friday, 9th August.

Hemel Hempstead town centre is evolving

Information event this Saturday in Hemel Hempstead at the Roundhouse, 11am-3pm.

Come and see what you think of the new exciting plans.   Everyone is invited.   Free face painting for children and budding artists are invited to join a street artist to create a temporary mural for the town centre. Please see attached leaflet for full details.

Career in Music business or performance?

If you know anyone aged 16-18 interested in Music Production & Business, or Performance & Song writing, there is a new Level 1 course starting in September based in Barnet. Information here.

Vacancy for Trainee Technician

See here for details of this vacancy with Hemel-based engineering consultancy Structa for a trainee technician with recent A levels (or imminent results).  Project drawing work using 2D and 3D CAD software.  Strong mathematics knowledge, spatially aware and good presentation.

Need some help in the hols?

Youth Connexions Hertfordshire is open every weekday at Jarman Park, more info here.
Need a job? follow HertsJobs14to19 on Twitter or via Channemogo for the latest.

Apprenticeships list 10/7/13

Here's the latest list, some great opportunities on there. 
If you want to apply, make your application the best it can be.  Give yourself time, ask for help, and get someone you trust to run through it before you submit it. 
Then when you are offered an interview, do some preparation beforehand (again, ask for some help and there's lots of interview tips online).    I love the video clip on the BT Bootcamp page (good opportunity there too).

Dacorum apprenticeships 8/7/13

Here is the latest list of apprenticeships being advertised locally.  Find more about these and other jobs at http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/

Vacancy in Hemel 16+

Vacancy being advertised for Office Junior.  More information here.

Vacancy with local distribution company

Digital Distribution are looking for a student who has an interest in a job or career in accounts to work in their accounts department.  Full-time position, ideally 18+, with A levels.  Contact Nathan Wiles at nathan@ddltc.co.uk 

Back online...

Great trip to Big Bang Fair at Duxford yesterday, students on top form and a pleasure to take on this inspiring trip. Big thanks too to Brian Lavender from D&T for his support on the Cavendish Team today.   Excellent ideas for possible STEM projects next school year.  I discovered programming on the Raspberry Pi, learned about how to extend the shelf life of bananas, and walked through Concorde - the Imperial War Museum is an amazing place to host this brilliant event.
Sorry for interruption to service recently, back online now, thanks for your patience!   Lots to catch up on....

Apprenticeship Information Evening

Don't forget this event tomorrow evening (Wed 26/6/13) from 6.30pm at Cavendish School.  Meet employers and their apprentices, and Training Providers and Youth Connexions from 6.30pm.  Refreshments provided by Cavendish School Association.  We have guest speakers from the National Apprenticeship Service and from a range of companies who employ apprentices.  Meet and speak to these experts at their stands before and after their talks (approximately 7pm-8pm, in the main hall).   We look forward to seeing you there!

Dacorum Apprenticeships list 20/6/13

Here is the latest selection of the LOCAL vacancies available now/soon. Find out more about these and other jobs at www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Engineer of the future?

Are you 11-14 years old? Are you an engineer of the future?  Do you have a great idea for a product or invention that involves communications?  Then enter the IET Product Innovation Challenge!
We challenge you to create a proposal for your best idea.   The student with the best idea nationally will be crowned Engineer of the Year 2013.  Other cool prizes up for grabs too!  Are you up for the challenge?

Thinking ahead? Eblast from Smaart

Latest publication from Smaart is all about Graduate Talent.  Find it here.

Youth Connexions link

Youth Connexions have a Facebook and Twitter page dedicated to providing the latest jobs, apprenticeships, college open days and much more throughout Herts https://www.facebook.com/hertsjobs16to19 https://twitter.com/hertsjobs16to19

Cavendish year 12 Mock Interview Day

Well done to the 12Br students who gave me their CVs and application letters on time!  For all the others, here's the link to the amazing Kent Uni Careers website, with the best advice on this topic that I have seen anywhere - bar none.  Am looking forward to seeing more applications soon, then we can move onto preparing for the interview.  Have your best suit (and assertive stance, confident smile, firm handshake, and ready answers) lined up for the Big Day on 5th July...

Montessori Teaching Taster Day

The London Career Taster Event gives you first-hand experience of college life.
Learn about the courses, talk to current students, meet our enthusiastic tutors. Discover how Montessori can offer rewarding teaching careers.
Event runs on Monday July 15 from 11am to 1pm at London Metropolitan University.
To register call: 020 7493 8300 or email:centre@montessori.org.uk
What is Montessori?
Inspired by Dr Maria Montessori in the early 1900s.

	Used and acclaimed in countries throughout the world.
	A holistic, child-centered approach to learning.
	88% of Montessori schools OFSTED outstanding or good at last inspection.

IT Apprenticeship Vacancy at Cavendish till 21/6/13

Provide technical service and network support in a mainstream secondary school in Hemel Hempstead, 37 hours per week.  12 month contract, achieve Level 2 Diploma in IT User Skills (ITQ).  Need 5 GCSE's at A-C and a can-do attitude!  See more detail and apply on the National Apprenticeships Service website. Vacancy Reference is 285917.  Application window closes on 21/6/13.

BT Boot Camp at Leavesden in August

Here's a good opportunity for the hols - 2 day boot-camp with BT. Sounds tough but so worthwhile! There are two sets of dates you can apply for, running at Leavesden (right near the Harry Potter studios - you can get a bus there from Hemel).   Apply promptly - these places will go quickly. This would look impressive on anyone's CV, whatever careerpath you take. Other dates and venues available too.   Dates are 6+7 Aug and 13+14 Aug. Find out about BT here http://www.bt.com/    You can find out more and apply for the Leavesden programme here.